Novak Djokovic skips IPTL to recover and spend quality time with family
Novak Djokovic has decided to skip the second season of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL). The World No. 1 Serb will make the most of the off-season to spend quality time with his family after an amazing 2015 season and to start training for his campaign next year.
Djokovic, who was enlisted to lead the OUE Singapore Slammers in the second season of the team tennis exhibition tournament, was replaced by fellow grand slam titlist Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray. The British tennis star was part of the Manila Mavericks (now called Philippine Mavericks) in the inaugural season. Wawrinka, meanwhile, is making his debut in the five-nation tennis exhibition this year.
The World No. 1 Serbian tennis star has decided to pull out from IPTL to recover from an intense 2015 season where he played 89 matches and won 11 titles, including three grand slam events (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open). Djokovic won’t also play at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi for the first time in five years.
The 10-time grand slam champion said that he had a great time playing for the inaugural season of the IPTL in Singapore. As much as he would like to be part of the event this season, he said that he needs to listen to his body and give it time to rest.
“It’s been a long year for me and my body needs some extra time to recover,” Djokovic said in an interview, as quoted by Sport 360. “I wish the team the very best and will join them next year.”
Djokovic played for the UAE Royals in IPTL season one. He was drafted by the OUE Singapore Slammers in this year’s edition, joining a host of other tennis stars like Australian Nick Kyrgios, German Dustin Brown, Belinda Bencic, Karolina Pliskova, Carlos Moya and Marcelo Melo.
Meanwhile, Djokovic seemed to be enjoying his time off the tour. He recently shared a snap of his vacation on Instagram.
“Happy #VeganDay everybody,” Djokovic captioned his photo. “Enjoying holiday time with family, resting well, and eating well.”
The IPTL 2015 kicked off in Kobe, Japan on Wednesday, where the OUE Singapore Slammers lost to UAE Royals 26-20. The event will run until Dec. 20.
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